National Pizza Party Day

National Pizza Party Day timeline

10,000 B.C.

Pizza Was Always There

Baked bread has been topped with flavorings since the Neolithic Age.

997 A.D.

Mamma Mia!

The word ‘pizza’ first appears in a Latin text.

1905

New York, New York!

The first United States pizza establishment opens in New York’s Little Italy.

1997

Say Cheese!

Approximately two billion pounds of pizza cheese is manufactured in the United States.

National Pizza Party Day FAQs

When is National Pizza Party Day?

National Pizza Party Day 2026 falls on Friday, May 15, making it the perfect start to a fun-filled weekend. Gather your friends and family for some cheesy goodness!

How much pizza is consumed in the U.S. annually?

Americans consume an astounding amount of pizza each year, with approximately three billion pizzas sold annually. That’s roughly 350 slices per second, showcasing pizza’s undeniable popularity.

What are the most popular pizza toppings?

While preferences vary regionally, pepperoni consistently ranks as the most popular pizza topping in the U.S., followed closely by sausage, mushrooms, and extra cheese. These classic choices remain favorites for many.

Is National Pizza Party Day different from National Pizza Day?

Yes, National Pizza Party Day (third Friday in May) is distinct from National Pizza Day (February 9). While both celebrate pizza, Pizza Party Day specifically encourages gathering with others to enjoy pizza together.

National Pizza Party Day Activities

Throw your own pizza party

What better way to bond with your friends and meet new people than by inviting them to your place and feeding them pizza? You can decorate your place with pizza-themed decorations — after all, you’re celebrating a national holiday — and put together pizza-themed party games. If you’d like to serve other food in addition to pizza, that’s entirely up to you.

Make your own pizza

Haven’t you ever wanted to make your own pizza crust? To knead the dough into a circle and toss it into the air, just like the pros do? You can either buy ready-made pizza dough or you can mix your own—there are plenty of recipe books to help you. Don’t stress if you don’t get the spin right the first time. All the best things in life “knead” practice.

Do a “pizza crawl"

If you’ve ever wondered where to find the best pizza in town, today is the perfect day to do it. Gather up a group of friends or go solo. Find out where you can get a pizza in your area, and go out on the town. You can carry a notebook or you can freewheel it, but the most important thing is to have a good time and eat some great pizza.

Why We Love National Pizza Party Day

Pizza is delicious

There is something about the combination of standard flavors—sauce, cheese, spices and herbs—that is fundamentally appealing to us. At the same time, the recipe is so basic that it allows for endless experimentation and innovation. (Whatever your stance on whether pineapple should belong on pizza or not, you have to give folks points for creativity).

Pizza complements a party perfectly

Pizza is a finger-food by default, which has the effect of making any atmosphere feel more easy and comfortable. People tend to have the most fun when they feel comfortable around others, so pizza can help create the perfect atmosphere for any party. And if that party happens to be a pizza party…well, that’s just a bonus.

It’s the ultimate multicultural food

John Green once said that “for almost all of human history, pizza was impossible.” Pizza as we know it today requires ingredients from very disparate corners of the world. As we mentioned before, tomato sauce wasn’t used on pizza until trade routes were established between Europe and the Americas. Modern pizza requires creativity and collaboration between people of very different backgrounds—and the result is delicious.